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VERDUN
and The Great War Battlefields of the American Doughboys
4 days / 3 nights - Tuesday to Friday

Beyond the Somme and through St Quentin the nearly 400 mile trench line swept south and east toward the Swiss borders. In 1918 the 'Doughboys' of the USA joined the European fray. Names such as Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, Vaux, Saint-Milhiel and the region of Meuse-Argonne, previously fought over by the French and British Empires, were soon to become synonymous with American sacrifice, honour and bravery as the German Armies were turned back. And, in the same region lay the ultimate war zone in this war to en wars, Verdun.

Our unique tour itinerary follows the line from Lille, exploring American battlefields and seeing the magnificent commemorative places built in memory of the sacrifice. We spend time at Verdun seeing the great forts such as Douaumont and Vaux. The scars of war, even 90 years on, are remarkable and no one who joins this tour will ever forget.

This tour can be combined with our weekend day-tour of the Ypres Salient and the Somme either before or following the Verdun itinerary.

Note: Those joining the tour and wanting to read something in advance are recommended to buy 'American Battlefields of World War I: Château-Thierry - Then and Now' by military historian, Dave Homsher. It's available on www.battlegroundpro.com. Please, mention Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd to get a discount.

Yours is still the most memorable tour we've had. . .WWI battlefields. Thanks.
David M. Shouse, Louisville, KY

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR 2008
Special 90th Anniversary of USA Entry Tours
Chateau-Thierry from 3-4 June and Belleau Wood 6-26 June

 

Tour Code	Depart London/Lille	Return Lille/London
VERDUN	Tuesday	Friday
Verdun 01	03 Jun	06 Jun
Verdun 02	05 Aug	08 Aug
Verdun 03	07 Oct	10 Oct

Cost: $1189 USD per person in a twin share room. Single $1279 USD single occupancy

What your tour price includes: Your accommodation for 4 nights while on the tour including continental breakfasts and dinners. Your price also includes all entrance fees to attractions, transportation, return transportation via either road or rail between London & Lille, services of driver/guide-companion and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide.

Airport transfers and accommodation pre and post tour is not included but can be reserved at a specially discounted price.

Want to upgrade your tour package to include international airfare? Click here for info.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

DAY ONE - Tuesday

If you're joining on this day one, then you'll travel from London on the 07.00 Eurostar train. You can, however, arrive either on the prior evening, or combine this tour with our weekend tour of the Ypres Salient and the Somme.

We depart Lille at approximately 09.45. Our first visit of the day is to the Clairiere De L'Armistice museum at Compiegne that contains many of the original artefacts hidden from the Germans during WW2 and also a replica of the railway carriage in which the armistice was signed .

Immediately south is the first of the USA battlefields we'll visit on this tour and begin with Coulonges-Cohan where we'll find Quentin Rooosevelt's crash site and memorial. Next, to Fere-en-Tardenois. This village was much fought over. For a month in September 1914 it was the British HQ, then was a French army centre. During German occupation in 1918 the Kaiser reviewed troops here and finally in 1918 it became General 'Black Jack' Pershing's HQ. We'll see surviving buildings and the nearby Oise-Aisne American Cemetery.

Next, to Chateau-Theirry, First Battle of the Marne and first American offensive. Nearby is the Hill 204 magnificent memorial. Belleau Wood is another major US battlefield covered with many interesting American memorials, including those to the US26th Division, and US Marines.

Overnight in Epernay where we'll enjoy a relaxed evening in this wonderful capital city of the Champagne district.

ACCOMMODATION: Epernay

DAY TWO - Wednesday

Beyond Rheims lies the most sacred battlefield of France - Verdun - and the regions, with Chateau Theirry, of the greatest American contribution in 1918 - the Meuse, and Argonne.

Amongst our highlights are Crown Prince Wilhelm's forest bunker, Varene-en-Argonne with the Pennsylvania State memorial and the Musee d'Argonne with the museum of mine warfare. At the Butte de Vauquois you'll see a site that probably defines more than any other along the entire Western front the sheer destructiveness of the war. The village of Vauquois sat atop this 290 metre hill. Now, not only is there no sign of the village but the entire hill is hollowed out as a result of mining and bombing. Restored French and German tunnels and trenches are visited. Also in the area we'll see the Memorial to the US 35th Division and men of Missouri, and hear about 'The Lost Battalion'. Also, Memorial Chapel of the 315th Infantry Division, and the American Memorial at the Butte de Montfaucon.

Finally, on our approach to Verdun, we'll see the Mort Homme with its famed inscription 'They Have Not Passed'.

ACCOMMODATION: Verdun

DAY THREE - Thursday

We start the day by visiting the deserted but mostly intact Fort Tavannes, then we will move on to Fort Vaux, where the defenders held out for a month against all odds and in hellish conditions and we stop at the museum at Fleury. Later, we tour Fort Douaumont, the keystone of the Verdun defences which we explore inside and out. Visits to the tragic and moving Tranche de Bayonettes, the French National cemetery and Ossuary, with its views over the battlefield, and Driant's command post in the Bois de Caures complete our amazing day. Tonight we'll enjoy an evening in the attractive town of Verdun itself.

ACCOMMODATION: Verdun

DAY FOUR - Friday

We'll first explore the American battlefields. St Mihiel is perhaps the most important site of the day. Here, in September 1918, the US First Army finally eliminated the St Mihiel salient and captured over 200 square miles of enemy-held territory. There's another impressive American memorial and one nearby at Montsec, which we'll see. We'll then spend some time in the Bois d'Ailly where hidden in the woods is an extensive trench system, with many bunkers and shelters.

We return to Lille later this afternoon by the most direct route.

Those staying on for the weekend tours of the Ypres Salient/Somme battlefields will stay in Lille (priced separately.) Those returning to London will catch the evening Eurostar train to London, arriving at approximately 22.00.

JOINING THE TOUR FROM LONDON: When using Eurostar, you are given a self-ticketing reference number that you use to get your ticket at the station of departure. We advise all tour participants to call the Back-Roads Touring London office a day or two prior to departure to ensure they have the correct ticket reference as we do not have a representative at the station on the morning of departure.

Please note: on occasion when there is no availability on Eurostar, we transfer to Calais using a mini-coach.

JOINING THE TOUR FROM PARIS: If you are staying in Paris and want to join us, you can do so by catching the TGV from Paris to Lille. You have to book these tickets independantly as they are not included in your package. Trains leave from Gard du Nord at 07.58 for Saturday's tour, 09.58 for Sundays and for Monday at 08.58. (please check these for any changes). Return times should not be booked before 20.00. Cost of the train ticket depends on day of the week traveled and how much in advance tickets are booked. We will provide you with a special “tour only” rate, without the Eurostar. Please ask us for full details.

Please note: Paris trains arrive at Lille Flanders Station which is a 10 minute walk from our meeting point at Lille Euro Station.

This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd